• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• 제33권10호
• /
• pp.1579-1589
• /
• 2020

Objective: This study was conducted to investigate the roles of LIM kinases (LIMK1 and LIMK2) during porcine early embryo development. We checked the mRNA expression patterns and localization of LIMK1/2 to evaluate their characterization. We further explored the function of LIMK1/2 in developmental competence and their relationship between actin assembly and cell junction integrity, specifically during the first cleavage and compaction. Methods: Pig ovaries were transferred from a local slaughterhouse within 1 h and cumulus oocyte complexes (COCs) were collected. COCs were matured in in vitro maturation medium in a CO2 incubator. Metaphase II oocytes were activated using an Electro Cell Manipulator 2001 and microinjected to insert LIMK1/2 dsRNA into the cytoplasm. To confirm the roles of LIMK1/2 during compaction and subsequent blastocyst formation, we employed a LIMK inhibitor (LIMKi3). Results: LIMK1/2 was localized in cytoplasm in embryos and co-localized with actin in cell-to-cell boundaries after the morula stage. LIMK1/2 knockdown using LIMK1/2 dsRNA significantly decreased the cleavage rate, compared to the control group. Protein levels of E-cadherin and β-catenin, present in adherens junctions, were reduced at the cell-to-cell boundaries in the LIMK1/2 knockdown embryos. Embryos treated with LIMKi3 at the morula stage failed to undergo compaction and could not develop into blastocysts. Actin intensity at the cortical region was considerably reduced in LIMKi3-treated embryos. LIMKi3-induced decrease in cortical actin levels was attributed to the disruption of adherens junction and tight junction assembly. Phosphorylation of cofilin was also reduced in LIMKi3-treated embryos. Conclusion: The above results suggest that LIMK1/2 is crucial for cleavage and compaction through regulation of actin organization and cell junction assembly.

• Toxicological Research
• /
• 제7권2호
• /
• pp.129-139
• /
• 1991

Preventive effect of red ginseng saponin on experimentally-induced hyperkeratosis was investigated by ultrastructural observation, skin weight and epidermal lipid analysis. Hexadecane increased skin weight per unit area and epidermal lipids, free fatty acids, cholesterol and triglyceride in guinea pig skin. Topical application of ginseng saponin reduced these hyperkeratotic responses regradless of the concentration and the purity of ginseng saponin. Ultrastructurally, lipids and empty space-containing multiple horny cells were piled and nuclear remnants, desmosome, desmosomal bodies, tight junction were shown in the stratum corneum of hexadecane-treated skin.

• 한국식품영양과학회지
• /
• 제42권8호
• /
• pp.1167-1174
• /
• 2013

암세포를 포함한 생체 내 빠른 분열을 요구하는 세포 집단에서 세포 내 구성요소 및 에너지원으로서 글루타민의 요구량이 증대되지만, 종양세포의 글루타민 의존적 대사작용에 관한 기전은 여전히 잘 알려진 바 없다. 본 연구에서는 LnCaP 전립선 암세포의 이동성 및 침윤성에 미치는 글루타민 결핍효능을 조사하였다. 본 연구의 결과에 의하면 LnCaP 세포에서 글루타민 결핍에 의하여 세포의 이동성 및 세포의 침윤성이 현저하게 억제되었으며, 이러한 이동성 및 침윤성 억제는 TIMPs의 발현 증대에 의한 MMPs의 발현 감소 및 그들의 효소적 활성 저하와 연관성이 있었다. 또한 글루타민이 결핍된 조건에서 배양된 LnCaP 세포에서 TER의 현저한 증가가 관찰되었는데, 이는 TJs의 조절인자인 claudin family 발현의 차단에 의한 것으로 생각되어진다. 본 연구의 결과에 의하면 암세포의 증식에서 글루타민의 결핍은 TJ의 결합력 증대와 MMPs의 활성을 저하시킴으로써 암세포 전이에 가장 기본적인 과정인 암세포의 이동성과 침윤성을 억제시킬 수 있을 것으로 생각된다.

• 대한화장품학회지
• /
• 제46권1호
• /
• pp.73-80
• /
• 2020

심리적 스트레스는 피부의 생리적 상태에 영향을 미치고 다양한 피부 질환을 일으킬 수 있다. 스트레스 호르몬인 코티솔은 섬유질, 케라틴세포, 멜라노사이트와 같은 다양한 피부세포에 의해 분비된다. 밀착연접(tight junction, TJ) 은 포유류 피부의 과립증에서 장벽을 형성하는 세포 접합부위이다. TJ은 다른 피부 장벽기능에도 영향을 미칠 수 있으며 화학, 미생물 또는 면역학적 피부장벽에게 영향을 받는다. 스트레스로 인한 피부 장벽 손상에 관한 보고는 있지만 사람피부에서 코티솔이 TJ을 조절한다는 보고는 없다. 스트레스 호르몬 코티솔이 TJ을 조절하는 기능을 확인하기 위해 각질형성세포에 코티솔을 처리하였다. 코티솔은 TJ 구성 성분의 유전자 발현과 구조를 조절하여 피부 장벽 기능을 손상시켰다. 또한 코티솔은 인공피부 모델에서 과립층 형성을 억제하였다. 이러한 실험결과를 통해 스트레스 호르몬 코티솔이 TJ를 조절함으로써 피부 장벽 기능에 손상을 일으키는 것을 확인할 수 있었다.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• 제27권4호
• /
• pp.580-586
• /
• 2014

Intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) forming the barrier for the first-line of protection are interconnected by tight junction (TJ) proteins. TJ alteration results in impaired barrier function, which causes potentially excessive inflammation leading to intestinal disorders. It has been suggested that toll-like receptor (TLR) 2 ligands and some bacteria enhance epithelial barrier function in humans and mice. However, no such study has yet to be claimed in swine. The aim of the present study was to examine whether Bacillus subtilis could improve barrier integrity and protection against deoxynivalenol (DON)-induced barrier disruption in porcine intestinal epithelial cell line (IPEC-J2). We found that B. subtilis decreased permeability of TJ and improved the expression of zonula occludens (ZO)-1 and occludin during the process of forming TJ. In addition, ZO-1 expression of IPEC-J2 cells treated with B. subtilis was up-regulated against DON-induced damage. In conclusion, B. subtilis may have potential to enhance epithelial barrier function and to prevent the cells from DON-induced barrier dysfunction.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
• /
• 제32권1호
• /
• pp.21-26
• /
• 2002

The primary culture of human nasal epithelial cell monolayer was performed on a Transwell. The effect of various factors on the tight junction formation was observed in order to develop an in vitro experimental system for nasal transport studies. Human nasal epithelial cells, collected from human normal inferior turbinates, were plated onto diverse inserts. After 4 days, media of the apical surface was removed for air-liquid interface (ALI) culture. Morphological characteristics was observed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). A polyester membrane of $0.4\;{\mu}m$ pore size was determined as the most effective insert based on the change in the transepithelial electric resistance (TEER) value as well as the $^{14}C-mannitol$ transport study. The ALI method was effective in developing the tight junction as observed in the further increase in the TEER value and reduction in the permeability coefficient $(P_{app})$ of $^{14}C-mannitol$ transport. Results of the transport study of a model drug, budesonide, showed that the primary culture system developed in this study could be further developed and applied for in vitro nasal transport studies.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• 제29권6호
• /
• pp.863-876
• /
• 2019

Farm animals such as piglets are often affected by environmental stress, which can disturb the gut ecosystem. Antibiotics were commonly used to prevent diarrhea in weaned piglets, but this was banned by the European Union due to the development of antibiotic resistance. However, the use of probiotics instead of antibiotics may reduce the risk posed by pathogenic microorganisms and reduce the incidence of gastrointestinal diseases. Therefore, this study was conducted to investigate the effects of Lactobacillus casei Zhang on the mechanical barrier and immune function of early-weaned piglets infected using Escherichia coli K88 based on histomorphology and immunology. Fourteen-day-old weaned piglets were divided into a control group and experimental groups that were fed L. casei Zhang and infected with E. coli K88 with or without prefeeding and/or postfeeding of L. casei Zhang. The L. casei Zhang dose used was $10^7CFU/g$ diet. Jejunum segments were obtained before histological, immunohistochemical, and western blot analyses were performed. In addition, the relative mRNA expression of toll receptors and cytokines was measured. Piglets fed L. casei Zhang showed significantly increased jejunum villus height, villus height-crypt depth ratio, muscle thickness, and expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen and tight junction proteins ZO-1 and occludin. The use of L. casei Zhang effectively reduced intestinal inflammation after infection. We found that L. casei Zhang feeding prevented the jejunum damage induced by E. coli K88, suggesting that it may be a potential alternative to antibiotics for preventing diarrhea in early-weaned piglets.

• 생약학회지
• /
• 제52권3호
• /
• pp.177-185
• /
• 2021

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a gastrointestinal disorder in which stomach contents reflux into the esophagus, causing complications such as mucosal damage. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of Rhei Rhizoma and Scutellariae Radix mixture (RS) in chronic acid reflux esophagitis (CARE), one of the GERD. After inducing reflux esophagitis through surgery, the group was separated and the drug was administered for 2 weeks; Normal rats (Normal, n=8), chronic acid reflux esophagitis rats (Control, n=8), tocopherol 30 mg/kg-treated chronic acid reflux esophagitis rats (Toco, n=8), Rhei Rhizoma and Scutellariae Radix mixture 100 mg/kg-treated chronic acid reflux esophagitis rats (RSL, n=8), Rhei Rhizoma and Scutellariae Radix mixture 200 mg/kg-treated chronic acid reflux esophagitis rats (RSH, n=8). Gross lesion of esophageal mucosa after RS treatment showed a superior enhancement compared with that of Control group. Additionally, RS significantly decreased the levels of MPO and MDA, effectively inhibited NADPH oxidase, and regulated the expression of the AMPK/LKB1/NF-κB pathway. Moreover, it significantly increased the expression of tight junction proteins. Taken together, RS not only alleviates inflammation of the esophageal mucosa via the AMPK/LKB1/NF-κB pathway by reducing oxidative stress, but also improves esophageal function by modulating tight junction proteins.

• 한국유기농업학회지
• /
• 제30권1호
• /
• pp.75-87
• /
• 2022

본 연구는 다량 미네랄 6종 및 미량 미네랄 8종이 함유된 천연 미네랄 워터의 기능성을 확인하기 위해 역류성 식도염 유발 동물모델을 이용하여 개선 효과를 분석하였다. RAW264.7에서의 세포 생존율 측정 결과를 통해 미네랄 워터는 세포에 대한 독성이 없음을 확인하였으며, 역류성 식도염 동물모델에서 위 내용물 역류에 의한 식도 손상을 감소시켰으며, 식도 점막 보호 작용으로 인해 세포 연접 단백질 발현을 억제하였다. 따라서, 미네랄 워터의 식도 보호 작용은 조직 내 염증성 단백질 및 점막 재생 관련 단백질을 조절함으로써 나타난 것으로 사료된다. 이러한 연구 결과를 통해, 미네랄 워터의 기능성을 확인함으로써 음용수, 식품 생산 등의 다양한 산업 분야에서의 활용성과 가축 생산에 있어 면역증진 및 염증 관련 질병에 대처할 수 있는 친환경 기능성 사료첨가제로서의 미네랄 워터의 이용 가치를 확인할 수 있었다.

• 한국미생물·생명공학회지
• /
• 제50권4호
• /
• pp.522-532
• /
• 2022

Cheonggukjang is a traditional fermented food in Korea, which is known to exert beneficial effects on health. In this study, we evaluated the effects of cheonggukjang fermented by Bacillus subtilis SCGB 574 (B574) on high fat diet (HFD)-deteriorated large intestinal health. Rats were fed with HFD or HFD supplemented with 10.1% cheonggukjang (B574). Fecal microbiota was analyzed based on 16S rRNA gene sequences, and the fecal and serum metabolome were measured using GC-MS. Our results showed that SCGB574 intake significantly reduced body weight, restored tight junction components, and ameliorated inflammatory cell infiltration. SCGB574 also shifted gut microbiota by increasing the abundance of short chain fatty acid producers such as Alistipes and Flintibacter, although it decreased the abundance of Lactobacillus. Serum and fecal metabolome analyses showed significantly different metabolic profiles between the groups. The top five metabolites increased by SCGB574 were i) arginine biosynthesis, ii) alanine, aspartate, and glutamate metabolism; iii) starch and sucrose metabolism; iv) neomycin, kanamycin, and gentamicin biosynthesis; and v) galactose metabolism. These results showed that cheonggukjang fermented by SCGB574 ameliorates adverse effects of HFD through improving intestinal health.